ways to cope with voices
Time management for the voices- this is where you give your voices a specific time when they can talk to you and you give them your full attention and they have to leave you alone for the rest of the time
Listening to musi- this is good if they are really bad and you want to drown them out
Read a book - really engage yourself in what you are reading and the voices may back off
Go for a walk - exercise is always great
Talk to someone - it can help to get it out of your head
Call a help line - it helps to talk things through
Hang out with friends - being around people can help keep the voices quieter
Learn your triggers - figure out what can set off the voices and deal with it at the cause
Converse with your voices - sometimes facing them head on rather than trying to fight them may help
Take your meds - even if your symptoms are getting better don't stop your meds unless directed by your treating team
Feel free to add to this list there are a more strategies that I can't think of right now.
Keep busy - put as much attention as you can into what you are doing and it can help to focus on something other than what they are saying.
Do puzzles/ hard mind consuming games or something (eg count back from 1000 by 7) - consuming you're focus and not giving the voices space
Hugs and spending time with loved ones - just a reminder that you are loved, you matter and that people care about you.
This comment really resonated with me: "Hugs and spending time with loved ones - just a reminder that you are loved, you matter and that people care about you." The power of connection and compassion is so valuable and I love that you have listed this as a strategy
Thank you so much for adding some more strategies @redhead ! This list is going to be so helpful for so many people accessing and reading the forums
And if this helps other people by reviving this thread I'm very glad about that.
That's great @redhead!
I've just had a look at the views, and this thread has had over 1300! That's a lot of people you have supported
Glad to hear it @redhead, when you hit random experts up for free advice, you don't always get a response though, so perhaps go see if there's someone who will do an introductory class in your area if you're reaaallly curious.
Hey @redhead thought i would keep the conversation going here instead of TwittRo, if only so i can keep track of it!
Transcendental Meditation and the types of meditation that are like it is a bit different to mindfulness. It's a little weird and not as scientifically backed up.
But there are aspects of it that might be beneficial for you that are different to mindfulness. The biggest difference is that you say or think a word while you practice a meditation session, they call these words Mantra's, although as far as i understand, you could say "purple" or think through a recipe for stir fry and get the same effect :P.
For people who hear voices, this might make a difference that's bigger than the sort of difference mindfulness makes, as at least theoretically engaging your speaking parts of your brain will make it harder for the voices to intrude.
I actually sent an email to a guy who does a type of transcendental meditation called Vedic meditation to see if he can give us a bit more expert advice and tips for people who hear voices 🙂
@redhead Thanks for sharing your tips!
One strategy could be that when you have that 'time to listen to voices' do it in a only one place like your laundry so that this area is associated with listening to voices. I think this may be helpful as, if your bed room is the area associated with taking time ot listen to voices it could make it harder for you to sleep at night.
As @Ben-RO said, meditation sounds like a good idea. You could do a body scan, where you are slowlying bringing awareness up your body from your toes to your head. Usually this helps to disengage the langauge centres, so maybe it would help a little bit for you?
@Ben-RO I have always wondered what transendental meditation is? Heaps of people seem to like it!
Later when my head's not as screwed I'll post a few more techniques I've heard of.
Would love to hear some more strategies when you're feeling up for sharing 🙂
I have a friend who says using her mouth voice helps keep the head voices quiet, so she will chatter and narrate what shes doing so the voices don't have a chance to interrupt.
As Ben mentioned, journaling - it's really great to get the stuff out of your head
Go to hospital- hospital really sucks, but it can also be needed and really help
Therapy- you can work on your triggers and issues and develop a healthy relationship with your voices
Awesome suggestions @redhead! Thanks again for being so open and honest about your experiences coping with voices.
Does anyone else here hear voices?
Don't be shy!
We'd love to hear from you!
